Dorothea E. “Dottie” Rufer, 84, passed away peacefully at SSM Monroe on January 22, 2026. She was born the youngest of six on December 10, 1941 to Mervin and Mildred Andrews. She grew up in rural Darlington, moving to Monroe where she attended Monroe High School. Dottie married Kenneth L. Rufer on October 31, 1959 in Dubuque, Iowa. Together they had four children: Ruth Ann, Mark, Linda and David. She operated an in-home daycare, caring for many young children with several referring to her as MOM or GRANDMA. She was an outstanding family historian and continued to make updates even as her health declined. She dabbled in ceramics, sewing, knitting and cake decorating. She loved cooking for her family, especially the Christmas Prime Rib. During their 66 years together, Ken and Dottie were able to spend several winters in Arizona and enjoyed many trips together. Their favorites were to Switzerland and Alaska.
Dottie is survived by her husband, Kenneth (Monroe); daughters: Ruth Ann (Joe) Klein (Monroe) and Linda Breitnauer (Madison); Grandchildren: Derek (Lisa) Rufer (Oshkosh), Brooke Schmidt (Monroe), Danielle (Brian Welter) Rufer (Dubuque), Mark (Abby) Breitnauer (Madison), Lance (Bobbi Burgess) Breitnauer (St. Paul) and Jacob (Ruthie Buehl) Kubly (Monroe); Great Grandchildren: Landon, Jaxson and Harrison Rufer, Braxton, Kolt and Oaklee Schmidt and Delphine Breitnauer. She is further survived by her daughter-in-law, Tammi Wirth; her sister, Evelyn Dettwiler; sisters-in-law: Rosella Zettle, Carol Maveus, Diane (Mike) Hineman and Janice (Rick) Schneider, and brothers-in-law: Robert (Bev) Rufer and Larry Rufer along with nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law; sons, Mark and David, grandson, Hans Schmidt and son-in-law, Mike Georgeson; siblings and their spouses, Francis and Lucille Andrews, Vivian and Robert Ethridge, Arthur and Anna Mae Andrews and Ivan and Arlene Andrews, brothers-in-law: LeRoy Rufer, Gene Dettwiler, Merlin Maveus and Dwight Zettle; and sister-in-law, Ruth Rufer along with beloved family and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 11:00 am at Shriner Hager Funeral Home, 1455 Mansion Drive, Monroe. Visitation will precede the service from 9:30 – 11:00 am. Condolences may be shared at www.shgfuneralhome.net.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Monroe Rural Fire Department.
